Just in. Booker to declare for draft.

[NavyCatFan2012]

http://kentucky.247sports.com/Bolt/Report-Booker-to-turn-pro-36699722

 

[Graves51]

must be thinking high draft pick, big money. Who can blame him?

 

[ukchambliss]

Welcome to Kentucky Mr. Newman!

 

[LetsHang#9]

So not even a glimmer of hope. Guess I'll DVR the presser.

 

[NavyCatFan2012]

The presser is just a recruiting video haha.

 

[USMC Cat_rivals309254]

Lol good luck to the dude.

He struggles in the tournament but he's gonna go pro?

D league year 1, maybe year 2. After that, he better hope he improves enough to beat out every other rookie and first or second year player, because after two years if you ain't putting up the numbers, you're gone.

Best of luck to him. Hope he's ready to work.

 

[gossie21_rivals69805]

Originally posted by USMC Cat:
Lol good luck to the dude.

He struggles in the tournament but he's gonna go pro?

D league year 1, maybe year 2. After that, he better hope he improves enough to beat out every other rookie and first or second year player, because after two years if you ain't putting up the numbers, you're gone.

Best of luck to him. Hope he's ready to work.

If Booker can land on the right team, and if he can get his shot straitened out, he won't be spending much time in the D League. The perfect landing spot for him would be OKC.

 

[PowerofPelphrey]

He has got a pure stroke like Curry and Thompson from Warriors. That is what NBA Execs love. I really wanted him back next year. Would have been an all time UK favorite.

 

[Rhavic]

Originally posted by USMC Cat:
Lol good luck to the dude.

He struggles in the tournament but he's gonna go pro?

D league year 1, maybe year 2. After that, he better hope he improves enough to beat out every other rookie and first or second year player, because after two years if you ain't putting up the numbers, you're gone.

Best of luck to him. Hope he's ready to work.

Instead of dancing around it, how about you just come right out and say you have no hope for him? Jeez.
Best of luck to him, he'll do just fine.

 

[BlueFE]

Originally posted by USMC Cat:
Lol good luck to the dude.

He struggles in the tournament but he's gonna go pro?

D league year 1, maybe year 2. After that, he better hope he improves enough to beat out every other rookie and first or second year player, because after two years if you ain't putting up the numbers, you're gone.

Best of luck to him. Hope he's ready to work.

Agreed. He is a bigger version of James Young, without the rim attacking skills Young had. He depends on his perimeter shot far more and it isn't consistent. If he doesn't land in the right franchise, he could be balling in Europe in two years.

 

[ukmelanie]

Oh well.He was the only one I was holding out hope to keep.Good luck to him.

 

[USMC Cat_rivals309254]

Originally posted by Rhavicc:

Originally posted by USMC Cat:
Lol good luck to the dude.

He struggles in the tournament but he's gonna go pro?

D league year 1, maybe year 2. After that, he better hope he improves enough to beat out every other rookie and first or second year player, because after two years if you ain't putting up the numbers, you're gone.

Best of luck to him. Hope he's ready to work.

Instead of dancing around it, how about you just come right out and say you have no hope for him? Jeez.
Best of luck to him, he'll do just fine.

I hope he does well, just don't see him excelling in the NBA without learning how to play defense first.

Even Kyle Korver and Klay Thompson play defense. You know who doesn't? Troy Daniels, and he rides the Rockets bench. He dropped 40 in the D league regularly and doesn't sniff the court. You think Booker can drop 40 in the D league right now?

Me neither.

 

[gossie21_rivals69805]

Originally posted by BlueFE:

Originally posted by USMC Cat:
Lol good luck to the dude.

He struggles in the tournament but he's gonna go pro?

D league year 1, maybe year 2. After that, he better hope he improves enough to beat out every other rookie and first or second year player, because after two years if you ain't putting up the numbers, you're gone.

Best of luck to him. Hope he's ready to work.

Agreed. He is a bigger version of James Young, without the rim attacking skills Young had. He depends on his perimeter shot far more and it isn't consistent. If he doesn't land in the right franchise, he could be balling in Europe in two years.

Our fans make me very sad some times.

 

[BigBlueCatNation]

I wish him nothing but the best, but another year would've been better for both he and Dakari. Neither are ready, in my opinion.

 

[*dezyDECO*]

Originally posted by ukmelanie:

Oh well.He was the only one I was holding out hope to keep.Good luck to him.

Same here.

Hopefully, he does the don't-sign-with-agent-yet approach... which would leave the door open to coming back?

 

[bookerfan66]

Best of luck to him.Next season is going to be tough......

 

[BlueFE]

Originally posted by gossie21:

Originally posted by BlueFE:

Originally posted by USMC Cat:
Lol good luck to the dude.

He struggles in the tournament but he's gonna go pro?

D league year 1, maybe year 2. After that, he better hope he improves enough to beat out every other rookie and first or second year player, because after two years if you ain't putting up the numbers, you're gone.

Best of luck to him. Hope he's ready to work.

Agreed. He is a bigger version of James Young, without the rim attacking skills Young had. He depends on his perimeter shot far more and it isn't consistent. If he doesn't land in the right franchise, he could be balling in Europe in two years.

Our fans make me very sad some times.

Truth makes you sad? What part of his inconsistent game translates to the next level in your mind? He can ball, but he will be shown little patience, as twos are a dime a dozen and they are expected to deliver the goods from day one. His size will help him, but he is nowhere near consistent in the scoring department. Plus he got torched on the defensive end regularly because he could not stay in front of his man.

 

[BBBLazing]

I really think him and Lyles would benefit most with another year. While Trey may be a lottery pick, I see him as a potential top three pick if he came back and got to play his natural "4" position. With Booker, 6 weeks ago I thought he was the best shooter I'd ever seen, then reality set in and he struggled down the stretch. Coming back and having a big year could put him in the lottery. He needs to learn defense. The NBA gets a bum rap because a lot of people only watch the all star game. Everyone there plays defense. Doesn't always look like it because everyone is so good offensively. Not many guys that can just shoot play long in the NBA. He has it in him and I hope he lands in the right place to get a chance to progress. I'm not sure Dakari has much of a choice. He probably cost himself money by coming back and playing behind KAT. He could have been a first rounder after our run last year. Sitting behind Skal next year will not improve his draft stock, but would help our team.

 

[CalipariKy]

He has a sweet stoke. I'd love to see him as a Cat for another year or two. I think he is projected to be a 1st round pick so I can't say I blame him for going.

 

[anon1763419335]

all season long I heard how amazing this team and our players were. odd how now they basically all suck and should turn down millions of dollars to come back for nothing. why would they want to come back to play for fans who clearly aren't on their side. easy decision.

 

[UKWildcats#8]

Originally posted by BostonCat2001:

all season long I heard how amazing this team and our players were. odd how now they basically all suck and should turn down millions of dollars to come back for nothing. why would they want to come back to play for fans who clearly aren't on their side. easy decision.

Agreed. The fans turn on the players in a heartbeat on this forum. It is all about the fans and their delusional dreams of "winning another natty title for myself!" as they actually think they can claim them for their own.

 

[UKWildcatT]

Ugh, I was hoping he'd come back because I think his stock could have risen next year. Here's hoping it works out for hm

 

[true-blue1]

Good luck Kid, you will be missed.

 

[BoulderCat_rivals187983]

So has it been definitively determined at this point that 7 are going to declare?

Wow if so. At least in 2012 when it was 6 as I recall they left with a title. Ah well, such are things in the Cal era. We were fortunate to get the guys back last year we did, and they took us on a heck of a ride. Best of luck to all of them, and on to the next group.

 

[BlueFE]

Originally posted by BostonCat2001:

all season long I heard how amazing this team and our players were. odd how now they basically all suck and should turn down millions of dollars to come back for nothing. why would they want to come back to play for fans who clearly aren't on their side. easy decision.

Who is saying we are not on their side? Who is saying they suck? I haven't read that. All I have seen are some critiques on aspects of their game that could use improvements. Its one thing to do well at this level, but to then translate that to the NBA is an ocean of difference. I wish all the kids the absolute best going forward, but it isn't a slam on them to point out areas where they could improve with another year and really polish up their draft projection and earn greater dollar value.

 

[anon1763419335]

Originally posted by BoulderCat:

So has it been definitively determined at this point that 7 are going to declare?

Wow if so. At least in 2012 when it was 6 as I recall they left with a title. Ah well, such are things in the Cal era. We were fortunate to get the guys back last year we did, and they took us on a heck of a ride. Best of luck to all of them, and on to the next group.

you know we went to a final four and played for a title in another year with this group right...right....

I mean if its ONLY about titles....how have you not committed suicide by now after not winning one in something like 80 of the 90 years of the program? or is it ok to fail with crappy players as long as they stay 4 years to show you how crappy they are?

 

[wcc31]

Originally posted by BostonCat2001:

all season long I heard how amazing this team and our players were. odd how now they basically all suck and should turn down millions of dollars to come back for nothing. why would they want to come back to play for fans who clearly aren't on their side. easy decision.

Isn't that the truth.

By the way- NBA drafts on potential. Booker hit the freshman wall, but the tools are there to be an excellent shooter in the pros and with the way the game is going, that is a very valuable tool.

 

[BBBLazing]

Originally posted by BostonCat2001:

all season long I heard how amazing this team and our players were. odd how now they basically all suck and should turn down millions of dollars to come back for nothing. why would they want to come back to play for fans who clearly aren't on their side. easy decision.

If you took away from my post that our guys suck and should turn down millions, you read it wrong. I just said that I thought Trey and Booker could each improve their status with another year, in my humble, troll, low post count opinion.

 

[gossie21_rivals69805]

Originally posted by BlueFE:

Originally posted by gossie21:

Originally posted by BlueFE:

Originally posted by USMC Cat:
Lol good luck to the dude.

He struggles in the tournament but he's gonna go pro?

D league year 1, maybe year 2. After that, he better hope he improves enough to beat out every other rookie and first or second year player, because after two years if you ain't putting up the numbers, you're gone.

Best of luck to him. Hope he's ready to work.

Agreed. He is a bigger version of James Young, without the rim attacking skills Young had. He depends on his perimeter shot far more and it isn't consistent. If he doesn't land in the right franchise, he could be balling in Europe in two years.

Our fans make me very sad some times.

Truth makes you sad? What part of his inconsistent game translates to the next level in your mind? He can ball, but he will be shown little patience, as twos are a dime a dozen and they are expected to deliver the goods from day one. His size will help him, but he is nowhere near consistent in the scoring department. Plus he got torched on the defensive end regularly because he could not stay in front of his man.

No. Our fans acting like asses and badmouthing these kids make me sad.

 

[stankum]

Draft Express has him listed as the 17th pick in the draft and slotted to make 1.5 million dollars a next year. I doubt that there are many on this board that if in his position, wouldn't do the same thing.

 

[true55]

I hope he does great and who can blame him , but I fail to see much of a difference between him and Doron Lamb. And if I remember Lamb is currently playing in the D-league. Albeit for more money than I make!

 

[anon1763419335]

Originally posted by BBBLazing:

Originally posted by BostonCat2001:

all season long I heard how amazing this team and our players were. odd how now they basically all suck and should turn down millions of dollars to come back for nothing. why would they want to come back to play for fans who clearly aren't on their side. easy decision.

If you took away from my post that our guys suck and should turn down millions, you read it wrong. I just said that I thought Trey and Booker could each improve their status with another year, in my humble, troll, low post count opinion.

its not humble...its stupid and selfish. ask anyone in the game for real....you learn and develop more at the next level than you do in college. and you make a ton of money doing it. its an easy decision to make.

 

[jwheat]

Good luck, Booker!

 

[BlueFE]

Originally posted by gossie21:

Originally posted by BlueFE:

Originally posted by gossie21:

Originally posted by BlueFE:

Originally posted by USMC Cat:
Lol good luck to the dude.

He struggles in the tournament but he's gonna go pro?

D league year 1, maybe year 2. After that, he better hope he improves enough to beat out every other rookie and first or second year player, because after two years if you ain't putting up the numbers, you're gone.

Best of luck to him. Hope he's ready to work.

Agreed. He is a bigger version of James Young, without the rim attacking skills Young had. He depends on his perimeter shot far more and it isn't consistent. If he doesn't land in the right franchise, he could be balling in Europe in two years.

Our fans make me very sad some times.

Truth makes you sad? What part of his inconsistent game translates to the next level in your mind? He can ball, but he will be shown little patience, as twos are a dime a dozen and they are expected to deliver the goods from day one. His size will help him, but he is nowhere near consistent in the scoring department. Plus he got torched on the defensive end regularly because he could not stay in front of his man.

No. Our fans acting like asses and badmouthing these kids make me sad.

Like I said in another post,I do wish him and the rest all the best going forward. I certainly don't begrudge him for making a money move. That still doesn't mean he is making the absolute best money move. I doubt many think he is absolutely ready to dominate at the next level, and it has already been shown that SGs are given very little rope to work with if they are not spot on from day one.

 

[JerseyCat84_rivals57050]

Some of these "fans" are incredibly selfish. Getting angry or badmouthing a kid because he's following his dreams.

This post was edited on 4/9 2:04 PM by JerseyCat84

 

[qwesley]

Originally posted by BostonCat2001:
you learn and develop more at the next level than you do in college. and you make a ton of money doing it. its an easy decision to make.

Patterson, T Jones, and WCS all passed up mid-first grades to play an extra year and all three have stated over and over they were glad they did it. You clearly think they were idiots to do so. Sad.

 

[anon1763419335]

the 3 or 4 guys we are going to land after the current players declare are going to be expecting support from the best fans in the game. man are they going to be surprised.

 

[3rex]

I wish him luck. Certainly his right.

Let's bring in the next batch & hope they have similar success in their 10 months in Lexington.

 

[Catzman]

Doesn't declaring mean you just go to work out and test the waters and you can come back? If he doesn't hear what he likes and hasn't signed an agent he's eligible still IIRC

 

[gossie21_rivals69805]

Originally posted by BlueFE:

Originally posted by gossie21:

Originally posted by BlueFE:

Originally posted by gossie21:

Originally posted by BlueFE:

Originally posted by USMC Cat:
Lol good luck to the dude.

He struggles in the tournament but he's gonna go pro?

D league year 1, maybe year 2. After that, he better hope he improves enough to beat out every other rookie and first or second year player, because after two years if you ain't putting up the numbers, you're gone.

Best of luck to him. Hope he's ready to work.

Agreed. He is a bigger version of James Young, without the rim attacking skills Young had. He depends on his perimeter shot far more and it isn't consistent. If he doesn't land in the right franchise, he could be balling in Europe in two years.

Our fans make me very sad some times.

Truth makes you sad? What part of his inconsistent game translates to the next level in your mind? He can ball, but he will be shown little patience, as twos are a dime a dozen and they are expected to deliver the goods from day one. His size will help him, but he is nowhere near consistent in the scoring department. Plus he got torched on the defensive end regularly because he could not stay in front of his man.

No. Our fans acting like asses and badmouthing these kids make me sad.

Like I said in another post,I do wish him and the rest all the best going forward. I certainly don't begrudge him for making a money move. That still doesn't mean he is making the absolute best money move. I doubt many think he is absolutely ready to dominate at the next level, and it has already been shown that SGs are given very little rope to work with if they are not spot on from day one.

Sure he could come back and get drafted higher, make more money, and be better prepared.

.....but he could also come back, not improve, get drafted lower or not at all, and never make the NBA.

If he can get drafted in the 1st round (and he will) then it is a smart move to make the jump now. I see absolutely no point in dwelling on the negative of what might happen. We should wish him well and pull for each of our guys to become solid players, rotation players, and all-stars at the next level.